Ethnomedicinal Survey and Documentation of Healing River Sources among the Yoruba People (Ijesha land), Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Aim: Ethnomedicinal practices in developing countries have been widely utilized has the major source of healing to human illnesses and diseases. The Yoruba people of Ijesha land, Osun State, Nigeria have many medicinal plants and river sources in meeting their health needs. The study documented some medicinal plants and river sources used as ethnomedicine among the Ijesha people. Methods: The ethnomedicinal survey focused on five major markets in Ijesha land which include Atakumosa, Sabo, Owena-Ijesha, Ibokun, Ijebu-Ijesa and Kajola-Ijesha markets. One hundred and fifty key respondents were interviewed using cross sectional and purposive sampling method in gathering and collecting information on ethnomedicinal uses and different healing rivers sources. The healing river sources, usages and some practices were documented in this study. Results: The findings identified fifty-seven (57) medicinal plants belonging to thirty-seven families including Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae, Malvaceae Asteraceae and Leguminosae. Amongst the medicinal plants, Azadirachta indica, Cymbopogon citrates, Vernonia amygdalina and Zingiber officinale had highest FL of 100 %. The local names, parts used, ethno-medicinal uses and five healing rivers sources were documented alongside with their uses, risky practices at foresight (that could make the hygienic/safe status questionable) Conclusion: The study provided baseline information on the use of medicinal plants and documentation of some healing river sources since both sustain health and cure illness among the people.